UEFA Slams FIFA's New Commercial Company Plan Over World Cup Governance Concerns

UEFA has strongly opposed FIFA's proposal to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new company that would oversee the commercial rights and operational management of FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. The European governing body argues that the plan could significantly reshape the way global football is governed and raises serious concerns about the future of the sport.

According to FIFA, the creation of FFE is still subject to approval from its member associations and the FIFA Council. If approved, the company would combine commercial activities with tournament operations while allowing long-term investors to acquire minority stakes without gaining control over football-related decisions.

FIFA believes the new structure would generate additional revenue to expand football development programs worldwide. The organization aims to invest more than $10 billion in development projects over the next four years, with Thrive Eternal, the investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, expected to lead the proposed investor group.

UEFA has rejected the proposal, arguing that football should not be treated as a financial asset available for commercial ownership. The organization has also questioned the transparency surrounding the initiative and expressed concerns about who would ultimately benefit from the commercial arrangement, insisting that the governance of the sport should remain independent of outside financial interests.

The dispute adds to growing tensions between FIFA and UEFA over football governance. It follows UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin's decision to skip the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in protest against several FIFA decisions. Meanwhile, reports have suggested that FIFA President Gianni Infantino could lead FFE from 2031 onward, although FIFA has not officially confirmed that possibility.